“We want to make sure that we stand and support and never forget that Trayvon serves as a beacon of light to the people out here,” he said at the event. “So you guys will never have to go through the pain and hurt that these guys went through.”

JAY-Z says Martin’s death and the subsequent events will forever hold a place in the story of American racial injustice.

“His name will sit alongside the greats who lost their lives to push our culture forward — the Martin Luther Kings, the Gandhis,” he said. “That’s the intention that we set, that his name serves as a beacon of light and hope to push us in a better direction, so thank you guys for your support. Thank you for being here.”